Importance Score: 50 / 100 🔵
The Reason ‘Mafia’ Was Subtly Erased From The Godfather Trilogy
Fans of the iconic Godfather saga have recently uncovered the rationale behind the deliberate omission of a specific term throughout the celebrated film trilogy. Widely acclaimed as a masterpiece of Hollywood cinema, The Godfather chronicles the saga of a crime family in America, yet notably avoids using certain infamous mob-related phrases. This calculated exclusion was reportedly influenced by alleged pressure from prominent organized crime figures during that era, concerned about the portrayal of their activities in the script.
Mob Boss Concerns Over ‘Mafia’ Terminology
This intriguing detail came to light as viewers revisited the making of The Godfather, pondering why the word “mafia” is conspicuously absent. Lenny Montana, a former wrestler and actor who portrayed the imposing Luca Brasi in the film, had prior connections to the Colombo crime family. His then-boss, Joe Colombo, voiced significant reservations regarding aspects of the movie’s content, particularly the depiction of Italian-Americans and organized crime.
Representing the Italian-American Civil Rights League, Colombo, a known organized crime leader, declared that he would withdraw support for the film production if the term “mafia” was present in the screenplay. He argued that it was a derogatory label unjustly applied to Italian-Americans.
Producer’s Agreement to Remove Contentious Word
In a 1971 interview with a New York Times reporter, Colombo famously questioned the very existence of the entity: “What is the Mafia? There is no Mafia. Am I head of a family? Yes – my wife, four sons and a daughter. That’s my family.”
Subsequently, The Godfather’s producer, Al Ruddy, reportedly conceded to the league’s demands. He affirmed that the contested word “mafia” would be eliminated from the movie’s dialogue to appease concerns and ensure cooperation.
Reddit Fans Discover Script Alterations
This unusual piece of trivia ignited online discussions after surfacing on Reddit’s r/TodayILearned forum, prompting fans to dissect the strategic changes implemented in the screenplay. A Reddit user postulated: “In The Godfather movie, the absence of the word ‘mafia‘ is attributed to mafia boss Joe Colombo’s threats to the film’s production. He allegedly offered his backing only if script revisions were made to his satisfaction.”
It is noted that Montana’s casting in The Godfather, his debut acting role, was partly facilitated by the Civil Rights League’s lobbying efforts, highlighting the complex intersections between Hollywood and real-world influences.
Coppola’s Clever Use of Montana’s Nerves
The former enforcer-turned-actor was said to be intimidated by acting alongside Hollywood luminary Marlon Brando. Director Francis Ford Coppola ingeniously integrated this genuine nervousness into Montana’s performance.
Incorporating Real Nerves into Character
Another online commentator elaborated: “This marked Montana’s inaugural role, and he reportedly felt considerable anxiety acting opposite a legend like Marlon Brando.”
“Coppola’s solution involved deceiving him into believing a take was merely a rehearsal, capturing his authentic nervousness on film. Coppola then adapted the script to reflect this, suggesting that Brasi’s unease stemmed from being overwhelmed by the Don’s invitation to his daughter’s wedding, thus explaining Montana’s visible nervousness in the scene.”
Minimal Script Changes Confirmed
Canadian journalist and historian Malcolm Gladwell later corroborated that Ruddy consented to the alteration, as the term “mafia” appeared only sparingly in the original script.
Gladwell recounted in his podcast, Revisionist History: “According to Ruddy, Colombo and his associates approached him, believing the movie would negatively portray the mafia.”
“Lacking the time to thoroughly review the script, they issued a single demand: ‘Remove the word ‘mafia‘ from the script.’ Ruddy promptly complied, allowing them to believe they had strong-armed him into submission and effectively neutralized the film’s impact. However, he was aware that ‘mafia‘ appeared only once in that script draft.”